![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.5823545.1647538327!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
'A huge impact': Lethbridge groups fundraising at Whoop-Up Days
![Whoop-Up Days 2024 fundraising Several Lethbridge organizations are fundraising at Whoop-Up Days 2024. (CTV News)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2024/8/21/whoop-up-days-2024-fundraising-1-7009737-1724285722424.jpg)
Plenty of people and businesses are taking part in this year's Whoop-Up Days and some local non-profits and organizations are also raising money.
Jumbo ears have become perhaps the most well-known food offering at Whoop-Up Days.
But what you might not know is that the jumbo ears are also a fundraiser for the Lethbridge Longhorns High School Baseball Academy.
“We had a couple of big orders. Our first order today was 10 so that was pretty hard. But keeping up was pretty fun and it's not too hard of work so it's pretty fun,” said Brett Smith, shortstop for the Longhorns.
Players, coaches and parents take turns running the stand. The money raised will help the team pay for its operational costs during the season.
“It's a huge impact. It's a great way to make some money and get some experience doing this sort of thing. It'll really go towards tournaments, funding, hotels, all apparel and everything,” Smith said.
Another Whoop-Up Days staple is the 50/50 draw. For the first time, Lethbridge Family Services (LFS) will be the organization taking home half the pot.
The money would go a long way in supporting LFS’ programming.
“It would make an absolutely huge impact, especially with Angel Tree. Last year we had over 4200 children so that would be a really big help with us,” said Lindsay Prete, events and special projects coordinator for LFS.
“And then with our immigrant services, we're still seeing new immigrants coming in and we need all the help we can get with that and our disability services.”
Some groups are getting creative with their fundraising efforts. The Chinook Sexual Assault Centre is offering a bike check for the first time at Whoop-Up Days.
Now you can lock your bike just outside the grounds while volunteers watch it. The check is free of charge but donations are encouraged.
“Lethbridge exhibition had this great idea to promote people to ride their bikes to reduce some carbon emissions and help with the parking situation,” said Kristine Cassie, CEO of the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre.
“They asked if we could come in and do this. It's a fantastic opportunity for us to get our name out there.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7034258.1726084302!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
'An unfortunate waste of resources': Ontario woman facing criminal charge following water gun incident
A Simcoe, Ont. woman is facing an assault with a weapon charge after she said that she accidentally sprayed her neighbour with a water gun over the Labour Day weekend, a situation that at least one legal expert says amounts to an ‘unfortunate waste of resources.’
Ontario woman misses flight to funeral due to airline ticket typo
An Ontario woman admits she was flustered and stressed trying to book an airline ticket when she found out a close relative had died last month.
The man who discovered Churchill's picture was stolen was treated like a suspect; now he's being honoured
When the 'Roaring Lion' portrait of Winston Churchill is returned to the Fairmont Château Laurier, a 68-year-old man once considered the prime suspect in the heist will have the honour of replacing it.
WATCH LIVE @ 12 EDT Consul general to New York to answer questions over $9M luxury condo purchase
After weeks of pressure, Canada's consul general Tom Clark will testify on Thursday before a House of Commons committee about the purchase of his new official residence in New York that generated a lot of political attention over the summer.
Parents look to save costs as youth sports programs get more expensive
As Canadians cope with rising costs in all corners of their lives, experts say kids' athletic programs are no exception, making it more difficult for families to keep their children active at an affordable price.
What passengers need to know about their rights ahead of a potential Air Canada pilots strike
While Air Canada has shared advice for travellers ahead of a possible pilots strike, an airline passenger rights advocate has more tips for Canadians who may be affected.
Ottawa resident who tested positive for mosquito-borne virus dies, public health says
An Ottawa resident who died of a viral encephalitis this summer tested positive for the mosquito-borne virus eastern equine encephalitis (EEEV), the first human case of the virus in Ottawa.
Billionaire steps out of SpaceX capsule for first private spacewalk hundreds of miles above Earth
A billionaire kicked off the first private spacewalk Thursday, teaming up with SpaceX on the daring endeavour hundreds of miles above Earth.
Harvey Weinstein indicted on additional sex crimes charges ahead of New York retrial
Disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein has been indicted on additional sex crimes charges ahead of his retrial in New York, Manhattan prosecutors said at a hearing Thursday.